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Athlon Sports grades Tulane's hire of Willie Fritz an 'A+'

Updated on February 17, 2016 at 4:27 PMPosted on February 17, 2016 at 4:08 PM

Willie Fritz introduced as Tulane head football coach

Willie Fritz smiles as he is formally introduced as Tulane's head football coach during a press conference at Yulman Stadium on Tuesday, December 15, 2015. (Photo by Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
(Michael DeMocker)

"Fritz doesn't have the national recognition of a Mark Richt or Kirby Smart, but Tulane is one of the biggest winners in the coaching carousel by landing the former Georgia Southern coach. Fritz has been a proven winner throughout his career, with 193 victories over four different stops.

He worked at Blinn College from 1993-96, Central Missouri from 1997-2009 and Sam Houston State (2010-13) before landing at Georgia Southern and helping the program make a successful transition to the FBS level. Under Fritz's watch, the Eagles went 17-7 and lost only two conference games in two years.

Fritz also guided Sam Houston State to two appearances in the FCS title game. The American Athletic Conference's West Division is tough - Houston, Tulsa, SMU, Memphis and Navy - but Tulane has the right coach in place to compete with the rest of the division."

Two other college football hires with Louisiana ties didn't fare as well in Athlon Sports ratings.

Former LSU running backs coach Frank Wilson, who was hired at UTSA, was ranked No. 26 and former New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Mike Neu, who was hired at Ball State, was ranked No. 27. Wilson's hire was given a C+ and Neu's hire was given a C.

Louisiana-Monroe's hire of Matt Viator from McNeese State found the Warhawks with the No. 14 hire and a grade of a B+.